Auckland train passengers face delays this morning due to “faulty work” by contractors in the Parnell rail tunnel over Waitangi weekend. 

Auckland Transport says trains on the Southern and Western line will be running every 20 minutes instead of every 10 minutes, and will not be running at all between Waitematā and Newmarket, with rail replacement buses running. 

KiwiRail chief metro officer David Gordon said the Parnell rail tunnel had to be closed after KiwiRail discovered “faulty track work” that had been done by contractors while the network was closed over Waitangi weekend. 

The company was assessing the track overnight and would work “as quickly as we can” to repair it. 

“We appreciate how frustrating this is for Aucklanders. Safety is our first priority and we will aim to have the tunnel reopened so that trains can run normally for the afternoon peak,” Gordon said. 

“KiwiRail is investigating how this faulty work happened.” 

The Eastern line will run as normal. 

The Southern line will run every 20 minutes from Pukekohe to Newmarket, and the Western line every 20 minutes from Swanson to Newmarket. 

Auckland Transport says there will be rail replacement buses on the whole Western line, while customers can also transfer at Newmarket to the 70 or InnerLink bus from 7203 Stop A Newmarket to get to Waitematā. 

Buses will accept train tickets. 

“The InnerLink also passes Parnell station. Customers travelling to the city from south of Ōtāhuhu can transfer from the Southern line to the Eastern line at Ōtāhuhu station to reach Waitematā,” AT said. 

“We apologise for the inconvenience. Please use Journey Planner to find the best alternative bus services and allow extra time for journeys.”